key speaking sa sample test 2020

Sample Material for Special Arrangements Versions of

Speaking Tests

Examinations from 2020

Introduction

What happens?

For most examinations, blind candidates and candidates with visual difficulties may choose to take the

speaking test alone or with a partner.

All tests have two examiners, the Assessor and the Interlocutor, even though the candidate is taking the

test alone.

The partner may be:

another candidate who is visually impaired

a ‘dummy partner’ (a colleague or friend who is not taking the examination, has a similar level of

English as the candidate, and is familiar with the format of the Speaking Test). The dummy

partner can be either visually impaired or sighted.

Who are Special Arrangements versionsfor?

On the following pages are sample materials for both single and paired candidate formats, which

include:

• Standard visual material

• Enlarged visual material

• Enlarged written prompts.

Enlarged print versions with written prompts are for candidates with visual difficulties, and candidates

who have a physical disability which makes it difficult for them to read normal-sized print or focus on

pictures/photographs.

Brailled material will be supplied for blind candidates, or those with severe visual impairments who

prefer to work from Braille. Sample brailled material is not provided here, but note that brailled

written prompts are the same as those used in enlarged material.

What material is used with candidates who are visually impaired?

Most Speaking Tests like A2 Key Speaking use pictures or other visuals as a stimulus for interaction. For

visually-impaired candidates, a special version of the speaking test is produced.

Candidates can opt to use standard or enlarged visuals, written prompts (enlarged) or written prompts

which have been brailled.

The following is an example of how the visual input might be adapted as a written prompt for

Cambridge English: A2 Key Speaking: